For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Today I was reflecting on this verse, and I thought about the part, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us”
God, the Father, took the sins of this world and placed them on the one who was without sin, Jesus.
After the initial disobedience of man and sin had entered this world, this led to a separation of man from God’s presence (Genesis 3:23-24).
In the Old Testament, the Israelites would sacrifice unblemished, animals without defects to atone for their sins. They could not sacrifice animals with defects because it was seen as an abomination or hatred for the Lord (Deuteronomy 17:1). The animal sacrifice was a temporary covering of sin and was a substitute taking the place of the sinner.
The problem is, repeatedly mankind continued to sin and rebel against God. It became a loop of sinning, sacrificing for sins, and being temporarily cleansed and all over again.
So why is it significant that Jesus was without sin?
Jesus, came as God in the flesh and lived in this world, tempted but never sinning (Hebrews 4:15).
He became the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our sins and restore us back into relationship with God.
Jesus carried the weight of our sins and died on the cross so that we can be made right with God, and we could be restored back into relationship with Him.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus to bear the weight of my sins. Thank you that you desired to restore me back into relationship with you that you gave your only Son to die in my place. It is only because of your grace and mercy that I have life in Jesus. I pray that I live life seeking you, living for you, and never forgetting your love for me. Even when I do wrong, I pray that I have a heart that is ready and willing to be corrected by you.
Graceful Strides 